My Personal Word for Today - PAIN & JOY

What part does 'PAIN & JOY' play in "My Word for Today"?
Session #3

There are "two extremes" in life's emotions that we experience.  

These emotions are known as "PAIN" and the other as "JOY".

Pain 

Joy

We all will face these emotions on the "slide-rule" of life at one time or another whether we are 'young or old'.

"Emotional Slide Rule" of Life! 

The 'weak' or non-Christian usually doesn't understand the 'whys' or the 'reasons' of these emotions.   They will be 'up and down' on certain days depending on where they are at due to their circumstances, or choices that 'they made' that eventually affects the "Emotional State" of life.

The 'weak' or non-Christian also will complain, squirm and worry when they are in the 'PAIN' zone, and will try anything to work their 'way out' of their problems instead of calling on God and trusting HIM with their problems.

They think that their 'way out' of the 'PAIN' is using drugs, alcohol, sex, over eating, complaining, worrying, etc.

The Christian on the other hand, realizes that God is strength and powerful and can make all things possible for 'JOY'.

The Spirit-filled Christian has learned to trust God at all times (in the good and bad) and knows that all things in life have a purpose and a good ending (Ecc 3:11). Why? Because God is in Control and is working out all things according to His council and plan of redemption.

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"Where are you on the 'Emotional Slide Rule' of life?"

We need to be reminded that our 'Christian attitude' towards these emotions of 'PAIN' and 'JOY' have a purpose:

PAIN side of life

 PAIN (In the Christian life)

• PAIN is to remind us and cause us to be thinking, quote healing scriptures, request prayer and rejoice that the 'PAIN' will eventually pass on the 'emotional' slide rule.
• 'PAIN' has a purpose.  Be reminded that 'All Things' work out for the glory of God.  The Christian is to stay faithful when in 'testing times' of 'PAIN'.   
• 'PAIN' can be physical, emotional or spiritual.  Remember 'PAIN' has a season, and just like we know that our climate seasons change, so will the season of PAIN pass.

JOY side of life

JOY (In the Christian)

• JOY is the ultimate emotion of the Christian when connected with God.  JOY is to remind us that there is a HEAVEN and it's feeling is one of God's ecstasies and delights.
• JOY is the emotion that we experience when we 'delight ourselves' in God. 
• JOY is the result or the 'fruit of' walking with God moment by moment.

When we are 'out of fellowship' with God, our 'emotional slide rule' slides towards the PAIN side of life.  When we are 'in fellowship' with God, our 'emotional slide rule' slides towards the JOY side of life.

Where are you this morning?  Take inventory.  Get thinking right.  Start praising Him.  You will slide towards the . . . .

AMEN!

Stay in 'YOUR ZONE' of 'JOY' with God.  

God designed us to be in complete JOY by having fellowship with HIM all the day long. 

Remember, He IS working out all things for our best and HIS GLORY!  

AMEN!

PS - Remember

 "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33b